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The nation's controversial move to prohibit social media access for those under 16 is sending ripples internationally. Lawmakers, campaigners, and parents are watching with great interest to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for other nations.

The European Momentum

In Europe, a rising chorus of nations are moving toward comparable restrictions.

• Denmark has stated a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the PM stating that mobile devices and apps are "robbing our children's innocence". Legislation may be passed soon.
• The Norwegian government is set to introduce a age restriction of 15, citing the need to safeguard young people from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is developing a online verification tool to authenticate the user details of social media participants. The media minister have indicated that an Australia-style ban is "one of the tools under consideration".
• In Spain, the leader has urged parliament to enact a proposal raising the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a comparable step, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The government in the Netherlands has recommended parents to block their children from social media before 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has adopted a symbolic motion supporting a ban for minors without a parent decides otherwise is given. Even though it highlights of the "addictive" design of these platforms, the step does not establish enforceable legislation.

"A strong age restriction is a solid first step," commented the MEP driving the resolution.

The United Kingdom: A Watchful Approach

In the UK, the leadership has remained open to a possible ban, emphasizing that "no measure is off the table" but maintaining any action must be "based on robust research".

Earlier, support gathered behind a proposal to enact limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually watered down. Nonetheless, the government vowed to investigate the issue.

Charities have raised apprehensions. A prominent charity set up by the relatives of a young person who died after being exposed to harmful social media material argues that a blanket age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of exposure when young people become eligible.

"Australia's ban is a answer to the refusal of the tech sector to design tools that are appropriate and fit for young users," said a influential online safety campaigner.

The United States: A Decentralized Approach

Stateside, action is mostly happening at the local level due to country-wide inaction.

• The state of Utah mandates adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• Florida has passed a law barring under-14s from accessing social media, though it is subject to court battles.
• The state of Virginia has approved a rule limiting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with additional time requiring a guardian's okay.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced bills requiring adult authorization for teenagers to set up social media profiles.

Despite cross-party agreement and suggestions from some politicians to mimic the Australian example, a federal ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

Global Perspectives

Outside of the West, additional nations are similarly exploring options.

• The Malaysian government aims to prohibit social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
• Brazil has lifted the required age for one major platform to 16.

However, global bodies take a more nuanced position. Unicef has cautioned that social media bans have downsides and "could backfire". The organization highlights that social networks can be a "critical link" for isolated children and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to improve child safeguards.

As this worldwide debate evolves, the policies of Australia and several other countries indicate that states around the world are less and less prepared to stand by for the industry to make changes on their own.